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A $60,000 suburban vehicle stolen after it was left running on a driveway in New Westminster Tuesday morning was the latest in a spike of vehicle-related thefts that have driven up that category of crime in the city.

Police stats from May show 145 vehicles were stolen in the first five months of 2014, a 96% climb compared to the first five months of 2013. Items being lifted from vehicles also climbed 26%.

Mayor Wayne Wright blamed SkyTrain for bringing in offenders from outside the city.

"We're not finding a lot of our homegrown people are the instigators," he said.

New West Police said most cases are "crimes of opportunity" — like the running SUV being left unattended — and could be prevented if people take more care.